Reading
1st & 2nd Quarters
Daily Reading
I expect students to read for twenty to thirty minutes at home every day. Generally, we begin each core session with time to read. Students should bring reading material of their choice to class, but I do have a meager classroom library for them to peruse. Students are more than welcome to bring electronic readers to the classroom, with parental permission. They are expected to read during the provided time. Reading Log & Projects ***Not Doing the REading log 1st Semester*** The reading log is a simple tool to keep track of how much a student is reading. Students are expected to read 1500 pages a semester—or whatever reading goal they set. I do adjust the goal to fit the abilities of the student and I will meet with each student at least once a month to track their progress. The “log” sheets are fairly simple. A student only needs to fill in the title, author, and genre when s/he begins to read a book. As the student reads pages, s/he “logs” how much is read. We use the logs to spark conversations, recommend (or not) books, etc. Students will also have to complete two projects during the first semester in addition to the reading log. The first project is a “Cereal Box” reading project and it is due at the beginning of class October 15th. The second project is a “Bookmarks” project that is due shortly after Winter Break. It is due at the beginning of class on January 16th. Time will be spent in class reviewing the guidelines and producing drafts. The log and project instructions are detailed on the “READING” page of the website. There are 149 days from the beginning to the end of the first semester. If a student averages 10 pages of reading each day s/he will receive an “A” for his/her reading log—achieving 100% of the reading log goal. There are 42 days from the start of the semester and the first project due date (“Cereal Box” on 10/15). There are an additional 93 days from the first project’s due date to the second’s (“Bookmark” 1/16). Each project should represent 250+ pages of reading. Time will be given in class to review the project expectations and produce drafts—for points and feedback. reading log explanation reading log for novels [Word] reading log for novels [PDF] cereal box book project [PDF] bookmarks [PDF] SHORT STORIES I will present ten (or more) short stories during the first semester. Most stories are in pairs—two stories from the same author. Author pairs are presented in successive weeks with an alternating read aloud and individual read format. There are several “stand alone” stories. This semester we are focusing on short stories with lessons or unexpected outcomes. We began with WW Jacobs. I read, “The Monkey’s Paw”, aloud to the students last week (9/2-4). We reviewed and discussed the story on Friday (9/5). This is a format we will follow throughout the first semester (parsing the story into section for reading and reviewing with a final discussion towards the end of the week). Students will be asked answer a question or questions about the readings in both a written and artistic format. Written answers should be focused (not rambling) and clearly explained. The written answers should not be first drafts. Students should revise, edit, process, and proofread their answers. Artistic responses should demonstrate effort but not hours of work. The artistic side should employ a draft and a finalized product of the student’s “best” skills. Overall, each side should take at least 30 minutes of time and effort. Please refer to upcoming newsletters for due dates of reading journals and for authors we will be reading. reading response example--summarizing blank reading response--summarizing [PDF] blank reading response--summarizing [WORD] reading response example--analysis & synthesis blank reading response--analysis & synthesis [PDF] blank reading response--analysis & synthesis [WORD] reading response example--interpretation & extension blank reading response--interpretation & extension [PDF] blank reading response--interpretation & extension [WORD] example student response response #2 alexis cannard "The Monkey's Paw" by WW Jacobs "The Monkey's Paw" video link "The Sound of Thunder" by Ray Bradbury "The Sound of Thunder" video link (it is in 3 parts) "There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury reading response #1: Bradbury & Jacobs [PDF] example reading response #1: Bradbury & Jacobs [PDF] "The Last Night of the Word" by Ray Bradbury--alternative for those who have read "The Sound of Thunder" "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" link to "Twilight Zone" episode "The Bet" by Anton Chekhov "The Witch" by Anton Chekhov "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson "The Lottery" video link (short film) "The Lottery" video link (last segment of full-length movie) "Charles" by Shirley Jackson "Lamb to the Slaughter" by Roald Dahl "Lamb to the Slaughter" video link to "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" episode "The Man from the South" by Roald Dahl Dahl on Trial (reading response #4) "The Telltale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe "The Last Leaf" by O Henry "The Ransom of Red Chief" by O Henry "The Big Trip Up Yonder" by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. "2BR02B" by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. The Westing Game The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (the complete novel via an online source) The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (PDF) The Westing Game chapter 13 *for reading 11/6 chapter 13 review assignment *due 11/12 The Westing Game chapter 15-20 *for weekend reading 11/8-9 chapters 15-20 review assignment *due 11/13 The Westing Game chapters 21-22 *in-class reading 11/12 The Westing Game chapter 23 *homework reading 11/12 (needs to be completed by class 11/13) chapters 21-23 review assignment *due 11/14 The Westing Game chapters 24-27 *homework reading 11/13 during "snow day" (needs to be completed by class 11/14 The Westing Game chapters 28-30 *in-class reading or homework 11/14 The Westing Game Character Detective Log |
3rd QuarterDiscussions:
Discussions begin second semester. Before participating in the discussions, students will complete a job. Novel discussions will be held at the end of every other week. The meeting schedule is: 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22 for the 3rd quarter. During the 4th quarter the meetings will be 4/20, 5/4, 5/18, and 6/1. Discussion Group Bookmarks: 3rd Quarter AM & PM --listing the group members, dates of discussion, jobs, and pacing. Body Biography: Body Biography handout I Body Biography handout II JOBS:A few groups are completing individual jobs for discussions during the third quarter, but all groups will be completing them during the fourth quarter.
Please read and follow directions for the response and reflection sections. literary techniques—a list and description of various literary devices to help the literary luminary 4th QuarterLiterary Scrapbook:
Literary Scrapbook handout [PDF] Discussion Group Bookmarks: 4th Quarter AM [PDF] 4th Quarter PM [PDF] *each is a large file and will take a while to download --listing the group members, dates of discussion, jobs, and pacing. JOBS: Each group member has the same "back side" to their reading assignment. Each group member must come up with 2 generic and 2 specific questions; as well as list, explain, and evaluate 2 quotes from the assigned section of reading. Quotes & Questions for each group member [PDF] *already on the back side of each assignment page for each job
Please read and follow directions for the response and reflection sections. literary techniques—a list and description of various literary devices to help the literary luminary |